Meghalaya/New Delhi: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to press for key administrative and cultural demands, including a separate All India Services (AIS) cadre for the state and recognition of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Sangma said a dedicated AIS cadre would free Meghalaya from its current joint Assam-Meghalaya arrangement, ensuring officers are fully committed to the state’s governance and improving administrative efficiency. He also reiterated the long-standing demand for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule, pointing out that the state assembly had passed a resolution and submitted memoranda to the Centre. “Official recognition is vital for preserving our cultural heritage,” the Chief Minister said. Another major issue raised was the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya, which Sangma argued would help regulate migration and safeguard the state’s demographic balance and identity. In a symbolic proposal, Sangma urged the Centre to name a road in New Delhi after late Purno Agitok Sangma, former Lok Sabha Speaker and one of the most prominent leaders from the Northeast, as a tribute to his contributions to tribal rights and minority welfare. The meeting reflects Meghalaya’s push for greater administrative autonomy, cultural recognition, and stronger representation within India’s federal framework.
